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MH Equipment Blog

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Since it’s invention, the forklift has drastically contributed to the high efficiency rates of modern day manufacturing. This is the story of how this magnificent piece of equipment came to be.

The first World War saw the first major developments in material handling equipment following Pennsylvania Railroads introduction of battery powered platform trucks for moving luggage in 1906. The early 1900?s brought United States companies Clark, Towmotor and Yale & Towne onto the scene with their versions of forklifts. The second World War brought even more advancements and by the late 1950?s Toyota had entered the market and the industry began to form itself into what we are a part of today.

Modern forklifts are quite different than the originals. In the beginning there were only a few standard models with low capacities but now there are over a hundred design types including: hand pallet, walkie, low lift, towing tractor, stacker, reach, electric counterbalance, internal combustion, electric, telescopic handler, order picker, articulated counterbalance, narrow aisle, omni-directional, UL safety rated and many more.

In today’s manufacturing world you will find lift trucks operating in thousands of different environments. On one end of the spectrum are forklifts from companies like Mariotti that can fit thru a standard doorway and transport items as narrow as 12 inches. On the other, fascinating big trucks from companies like Hyster with capacities that reach 200,000lbs transporting steel beams and train cars. Whether the job is big or small, the forklift of today is ready for it.

The most important advancements in the forklift over the years have pertained to safety. While still a dangerous machine to operate, modern forklifts are far safer than those operated during our World Wars. Improved balance and counter weight technology, the addition of lights and horns as well as the construction of the overhead guard are just a few of the improvements.

It has been quite a ride for the lift truck over the past 100 years and the future is sure to bring more exciting breakthroughs. Here at MH Equipment, we are proud to offer fleet management, parts and service for these machines. We also feature one of the largest rental fleets in the business and our selection of new and used forklifts is second to none. Call us at 1-888-564-2191 or visit one of our locations in Danville, Decatur, East Peoria, Ottawa, Illinois; Indianapolis, Evansville, Indiana; Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines, Dubuque, Eldridge, Ottumwa, Sioux City, Waterloo, Iowa; Louisville, Calvert City, Bowling Green, Lexington, Kentucky; Cape Girardeau, St. Louis, Missouri; Grand Island, Omaha, Nebraska; Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Ohio; Erie, Pennsylvania and Charleston, West Virginia.

The tough just got tougher. Hyster Company rolled out a new Environmental Package at the ProMat 2013 show that extends the range and capabilities of Hyster® electric lift trucks into applications that in the past have only been serviced by internal combustion powered trucks.

“This new Environmental Package brings Hyster electric trucks to a new level and capability that is synonymous with the durability and reliability that our customers expect from Hyster internal combustion lift trucks,” said Jonathan Dawley, president of Hyster Distribution. “Both our ICE and electric trucks go through the same outdoor testing to ensure durability and reliability in the field.”

The Environmental Package prepares electric trucks to handle notoriously heavy-duty industries, such as lumber, dock yards, masonry, food preparation and handling, heavy manufacturing and recycling. The package comes with three tiered options: the IP54 sealed drive axle and motors with belly pan and side shields, the outdoor protection and wash-down package and the front mud guards.

The first option provides shielding devices on the sealed drive axle to prevent debris from interfering with operations. The second features sealed bearings and waterproof cover relays and connectors to make the truck able to work, rain or shine. Finally, front mud guards on the front fenders protect the attachment and load from drive tire-slung debris and water.

An independent agency tested the electric trucks fitted with the special package alongside the ICE trucks for 15 days in an accelerated, harsh-environment trial. Both the electric and ICE Hyster lift trucks were fully functional after the test, which included 30 thermal shock cycles, 150 hours of high humidity soak with salt spray and 15 pressure-wash events.

About MH Equipment

At MH Equipment, we believe that People Matter! It is our vision to be regarded as an employer of choice, a trustworthy partner, and an ethical market leader in our communities by providing our customers innovative solutions and unparalleled value.

As such, we are committed to providing solutions that will help you shift the focus from your material handling requirements back to your business. MH Equipment offers a vast selection of comprehensive solutions to fit your individual material handling needs…from simple routine maintenance to all-inclusive fleet management programs, our team stands ready to provide unparalleled value and service!

We understand that you have a choice when purchasing material handling equipment and services and it’s our great pleasure to be included in that decision!

Please contact us if you have any questions and remember, at MH Equipment… People Matter!

About Hyster Company

Based in Greenville, N.C., Hyster Company (www.hyster.com) is a leading worldwide lift truck designer and manufacturer. Hyster Company offers 130 models configured for gasoline, LPG, diesel and electric power, with the widest capacity range in the industry — from 2,000 to 115,000 lbs. Supported by one of the industry’s largest and most experienced dealer networks, Hyster Company builds tough, durable lift trucks that deliver high productivity, low total cost of ownership, easy serviceability and advanced ergonomic features; accompanied by outstanding parts, service and training support.

MH Equipment is excited to announce that we will be increasing our service availability by adding locations in Dubuque and Sioux City, IA!

Preparations at the new branches are already underway with both new branches are expected to be open in April – this will bring MH equipment’s reach to 26 locations covering 10 states!

Look for continuing updates on the MH Equipment website as well as the MH Blog.

About MH Equipment

At MH Equipment, we believe that People Matter! It is our vision to be regarded as an employer of choice, a trustworthy partner, and an ethical market leader in our communities by providing our customers innovative solutions and unparalleled value.

As such, we are committed to providing solutions that will help you shift the focus from your material handling requirements back to your business. MH Equipment offers a vast selection of comprehensive solutions to fit your individual material handling needs…from simple routine maintenance to all-inclusive fleet management programs, our team stands ready to provide unparalleled value and service!

We understand that you have a choice when purchasing material handling equipment and services and it’s our great pleasure to be included in that decision!

Please contact us if you have any questions and remember, at MH Equipment… People Matter!

On Tuesday, February 26, 2012 Hyster Company announced its 2012 Dealer of Distinction award recipients. The 14 top performing Hyster® dealers, including MH Equipment (Iowa Division), received this award based on their focused leadership skills, which has helped their companies achieve an industry-leading level of performance in all areas of the materials handling business.

“The Hyster Dealer of Distinction Program raises performance standards to keep pace with our growing customer expectations and heightened industry demands,” states Don Chance, President, NMHG Sales. “The recipients of this award have clearly demonstrated their commitment to achieve this objective by consistently exceeding customer expectations, making them some of our most valuable assets and an integral part of Hyster’s success.”

To receive this prestigious award, dealers must meet defined business practices and performance standards including elevated goals in customer satisfaction, dealer performance, general management, truck sales, short-term rental, training, aftermarket sales and parts and service operations. The 2013 Hyster Dealer of Distinction Program will again raise performance standards to keep pace with increasing customer expectations and heightened industry demands.

Hyster will honor MH Equipment and the other top-performing dealers at an awards celebration in Sea Island, Ga. on April 19. This will be the 19th year that the Hyster Dealer of Distinction Program has recognized its highest achievers.

About MH Equipment

At MH Equipment, we believe that People Matter! It is our vision to be regarded as an employer of choice, a trustworthy partner, and an ethical market leader in our communities by providing our customers innovative solutions and unparalleled value.

As such, we are committed to providing solutions that will help you shift the focus from your material handling requirements back to your business. MH Equipment offers a vast selection of comprehensive solutions to fit your individual material handling needs…from simple routine maintenance to all-inclusive fleet management programs, our team stands ready to provide unparalleled value and service!

We understand that you have a choice when purchasing material handling equipment and services and it’s our great pleasure to be included in that decision!

Please contact us if you have any questions and remember, at MH Equipment… People Matter!

About Hyster Company

Based in Greenville, N.C., Hyster Company (www.hyster.com) is a leading worldwide lift truck designer and manufacturer. Hyster Company offers 130 models configured for gasoline, LPG, diesel and electric power, with the widest capacity range in the industry — from 2,000 to 115,000 lbs. Supported by one of the industry’s largest and most experienced dealer networks, Hyster Company builds tough, durable lift trucks that deliver high productivity, low total cost of ownership, easy serviceability and advanced ergonomic features; accompanied by outstanding parts, service and training support.

JCB showed some of its Tier 4 Interim-powered machines at The Rental Show in Las Vegas this week. JCB has met the EPA standards by using patent-pending in-cylinder technologies that eliminate the need for external exhaust after-treatment parts such as diesel particulate filters. The machines are powered by JCB’s own Ecomax engines.

The no after-treatment approach allows for a recalibration option, making it possible for JCB dealers to recalibrate the Ecomax engine to lower injection pressures and turn off the exhaust gas regeneration function without any hardware changes, facilitating the resale of the machines to non-legislated countries that only offer higher sulphur-content fuels.

JCB showed its new entry-level specification 3CX, powered by the 74-hp JCB Ecomax engine, which comes standard with the JCB SynchroShuttle transmission. The deluxe end of the range includes 91-hp and 109-hp units. The 3CX Super and 4CX Super units have two additional control options — the JCB Easycontrol, which controls the excavator with two seat-mounted joysticks, and the Advanced Easycontrol, which incorporates the loader controls into the right-hand seat controller. A new in-cab monitor is standard on all models, reporting fuel consumption and automatically reporting any fluid levels that are below acceptable levels.

JCB also showed its Loadall 74-hp and 109-hp telescopic handlers. JCB said the 509-42, 510-56 and 512-56, all 109 hp, offer an average 15-percent increase in torque.

If you would like more information about the JCB line of Construction equipment, please contact MH JCB today!

Darrell Randall, President and Dannelle Dahlhauser, Marketing Director attended the premier North American manufacturing and supply chain trade expo along with several other MH Equipment team members to represent MH Equipment and our Hyster and Yale brands.

After the show, Hyster hosted a Duck Dynasty themed bash complete with a ZZ-Top inspired band, boudin sausage, frog legs, and gator tots along with refreshing ‘Swamp Water’ drinks. Yale held a Swing Era themed soiree with a Sinatra inspired band, black ties, fedoras, and martinis. There was certainly something for everyone – Hyster and Yale certainly hit the mark!